UEFA Champions League: Atalanta's Europa League win could see six Serie A teams in next year's competition

Atalanta's triumph in the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday night was great news for Italian football as it means there could be six Serie A clubs that qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side produced a masterful display against favourites Bayer Leverkusen to secure a 3-0 victory thanks to Ademola Lookman's stunning hat-trick.

It was the first time that the Italian club has lifted a UEFA trophy in its 116-year history.

Atalanta will compete in the Champions League for only the fourth time in the club's history but there is a chance that they will be joined by another five Italian teams in next year's elite competition.

Atalanta's next few results could lead to six Serie A clubs entering the 2024/25 Champions League.

Serie A were awarded five places in next season's competition after securing one of the two extra places for performance across the three European competitions this campaign.

Inter Milan, AC Milan, Bologna, Juventus and Atalanta are guaranteed a place but AS Roma could also qualify.

Roma, who currently sit in sixth position in the league table, need Atalanta to finish no higher than fifth place to see them progress into next season's Champions League.

Atalanta's Europa League victory sees them guaranteed a spot in the top tier competition next season but they also sit in fifth place in the table which means Roma would benefit from the extra place.

If Atalanta finish any higher than fifth place then Roma will have to settle for a spot in next season's Europa League.

However, Roma will have to wait until next month to see whether they will earn a spot in the Champions League because Atalanta have two matches remaining in Serie A.

Atalanta face Torino on Sunday before finishing off their league campaign against Fiorentina on June 2 - a week after the end of the Serie A season.

There is also a chance that nine Italian teams could qualify for Europe next season.

Fiorentina have the chance to guarantee a place in next season's Europa League if they win the UEFA Conference final against Olympiacos next week.

Fiorentina find themselves in eighth place in the table but if they finish outside the top 7 and win next week, Roma and Lazio will be joined in the Europa League by the team in ninth place.

Torino and Napoli are currently battling for that spot ahead of the last day of the Serie A season on Sunday.

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